Softball: Lyons Township enters busy week

Updated: April 9, 2012 6:54PM

Lyons Township against Nazareth would seem to be a natual rivalry, but Skye Riddle isn’t looking forward to that game this week.

Riddle believes an even bigger game comes one day earlier when LT (4-2) plays at Downers Grove North (6-0) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the West Suburban Silver opener for both teams.

On Friday, LT plays neighborhood rival Nazareth (7-4) at 4:30 p.m. at Mayfair Park in Westchester. Last year’s game was postponed and was never rescheduled.

The game against the Tigers is the first of six games scheduled this week, followed by a home game against Queen of Peace on Tuesday. LT plays at Hinsdale South in a doubleheader at 2 p.m. Saturday to complete the week.

“Nazareth is a private school so we don’t get to see them very often,” said Riddle, a starting senior catcher from Brookfield. “Downers North is probably a bigger rivalry. They are supposed to be good so that’s probably our biggest rivalry.”

Riddle has been the veteran catcher for pitcher Alyssa Koziol the last four years, the last three for the varsity. Now Riddle is also catching Koziol’s younger sister, Ashley. The sophomore is in her second year on the varsity and Riddle is the only catcher she has had.

“Obviously, they keep getting better,” Riddle said of the Koziols.

LT coach Dawn Schabacker knew Alyssa and Ashley Koziol would need to contribute in a big way if the team was going to be successful and the sisters didn’t disappoint Saturday.

Senior Alyssa Koziol was the winning pitcher in LT’s 11-4 win in the first game, while sophomore Ashley Koziol picked up the pitching victory in the Lions’ 8-7 come-from-behind win in the second game.

Ashley also contributed a three-run home run in the opener, while Riddle and Chelsea Grady also provided clutch hits. Becky Ryckman pitched a scoreless seventh inning to seal the victory.

LT (4-2) trailed 4-0 in the second game and 6-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, but Riddle delivered a three-run triple to put the Lions ahead 7-6.

“It was a shot,” Schabacker said of Riddle’s clutch hit. “She’s been doing a great job behind the plate and she’s leading us with her bat. I’m very happy to see how much progress she’s made in the last three years. She’s such a leader for us.”

West Aurora tied the game at 7-7 in the top of the seventh inning, but the Lions pulled out the exciting victory when Katie Hogan scored the winning run when Alyssa Koziol reached on an error.

LT also beat visiting Morton 5-4 April 2 and host Glenbard East 14-3 in five innings April 3.

The schedule load lightens up for LT next week. The team plays Proviso West April 16, Glenbard West April 18 and Oak Park-River Forest April 20.

Ken Ryan contributed to this story

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